Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Fetal Monitoring Recommendations

CCRMC Antepartum Testing Phone #925-370-5609

Updated October 2009


These are recommendations and not the absolute rule--a consultant may recommend more or less monitoring in a particular case. Please be careful that your patients are not being scheduled early for testing as the schedules are very full. Sometimes if you order monitoring to begin in two weeks, nurses do not understand that sooner is not indicated so they take the first available appointment even if it is 2 weeks before monitoring is actually needed.
DIAGNOSIS
MONITORING
RECOMMENDATIONS
DECREASED FETAL
MOVEMENT

Immediately at diagnosis
NST/optional AFI x 1

Consider kick count counseling for all patients
in 3
rd trimester and especially high risk
POSTDATES
Low risk patient

Biweekly NST/Weekly AFI
Begin early 41
st week
Usually induce by 42 weeks
Induce early 41
st week for certain dates and favorable cervix
Delay induction if uncertain dates, VTOL, or unfavorable cervix

GDMA1
Adequate control on diet only

Biweekly NST/Weekly AFI
Begin by early 41
st week. May begin 40-41 weeks.
Induce at 41 weeks
GDMA2
(Medication Indicated—on meds or poor control on diet)

Biweekly NST/Weekly AFI
Begin 32 weeks. Consider delay to 34-35 weeks if good control on low dose medication.

Deliver by 40 week EGA (after 39 weeks)
Consider 38 week sono for EFW if clinically suspected macrosomia. Offer cesarean if EFW>4500 gm. Consult >4200 gm.

SEVERE DIABETES
(vasculopathy, etc)

May begin as early as 28 weeks. Consult.

FETAL SIZE LESS
THAN DATES
(possible IUGR)

Biweekly NST/Weekly AFI
Begin at diagnosis or pending formal ultrasound for EFW

Continue monitoring if EFW < 15th percentile by Hadlock chart. Stop if >15th percentile
Consult for delivery plan EFW < 10
th percentile
CHRONIC
HYPERTENSION BP>140/90
or on BP medication

Biweekly NST/Weekly AFI
Begin 32 weeks. Consider delay to 36 weeks if mild or good control and normal fetal growth

Deliver by 40 weeks. Consult for earlier delivery if severe.
Monitor closely for superimposed preeclampsia and fetal growth

GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION OR MILD PREECLAMPSIA
After initial evaluation usually done on Perinatal Unit, begin biweekly NST/weekly AFI.
Mild Preeclampsia deliver by 38 weeks
Gestational Hypertension usually deliver by 40 weeks

MATERNAL AGE >35
Biweekly NST/Weekly AFI
Begin in the 37
th week
*new recommendation
CHOLESTASIS OF PREGNANCY
Biweekly NST/weekly AFI
Begin at diagnosis or pending diagnosis after 32 weeks

Check LFTs and serum bile acids
Treat with Actigall 300mg bid-tid
Induce at 37 weeks

HISTORY OF PRIOR
FETAL DEMISE

Biweekly NST/weekly AFI
Begin 2 weeks before prior demise after 28 weeks

Consider induction after 39 weeks
TWIN GESTATION
Biweekly NST
Begin 34-36 weeks for concordant dichorionic twins
Begin 32 weeks for monochorionic or discordant

Deliver by 38-39 weeks, or earlier if discordant
(>20% difference EFW)
Consider umbilical artery dopplers if one or both <10
th percentile
Transfer monoamniotic to Perinatology

POLYHYDRAMNIOS
AFI > 24

Biweekly NST
Begin at 32 weeks or diagnosis

Consider level II ultrasound for anomaly
Confirm no GDM

OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS
Consult. Immediate Fetal Monitoring/AFI if over 24 weeks.
Evaluate for SROM; consider anomaly such as absent kidneys if no prior sono with normal AFI.
OTHER
Thrombophilia
Renal Disease
Hyperthyroidism
Lupus
Anemia Hb < 8
Active Substance Abuse
Elevated AFP on State Screen
Two vessel umbilical cord
Other significant maternal medical condition

Biweekly NST/weekly AFI
Begin at 32 weeks or when identified after 32 weeks

Generally deliver by 40 weeks